Oregon's Minimum Wage

Oregon's minimum wage, already among the nation's highest, will go up 15 cents to $7.95 an hour beginning in January 1st, 2008, announced on Wednesday by Dan Gardner, Oregon Labor Commissioner. That's two dollars more than the federal minimum wage, which is $5.85 and also slightly above the minimum wage in Washington State, which is $7.93.

The increase equals to about $30 more every month. Dan Gardner said “What you can do with $30 a month, if you’re a single mother for instance, is buy your kid a pair of shoes and a winter coat. And that’s what it amounts to to the worker.” Oregon's minimum wage law makes sure the workers with low income keep pace with the rising cost of living.

The increase follows passage of a 2002 ballot measure, which tied the wage to the Consumer Price Index, a measure of inflation. Oregon must recalculate the wage annually in September.

Recently the Congress raised the minimum wage to $5.85 per hour and states across the nation also have pushed up their minimum wages. About 17 states even have minimum wages higher than the federal rate.

Dan Gardner said that the 15 cents increase would make Oregon's minimum wage the third highest in the nation, slightly behind California and Massachusetts' minimums wage of $8 an hour. He also said that the state of Washington's minimum wage, currently at $7.93 per hour also is linked to the cost of living and is expected to remain the highest in the nation in 2008.

Central Florida Taco Bell provides training to employees after settling a harassment suit

A male employee of a Taco Bell in Polk County, who was sexually harassed by a female manager, will be paid $76,050 to settle his suit, the EEOC announced on August 14, 2007 .

This employee said he had been subjected to repeat physical and verbal sexual harassment, and he left the company after management took his complaints as jokes.

Taco Bell was also required to train all of its employees in Central Florida on its sexual harassment policies and to make semi-annual reports to the EEOC on any harassment complaints it receives.

Justice Department Sues Spartanburg County for Alleged Sex Discrimination

On Aug 14, 2007, The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Spartanburg County, South Carolina, alleging that the county discriminated against a county employee for her sex, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The government's complaint advocates that the county discriminated against the employee during her employment by the county's Department of Roads and Bridges as a senior sign technician. They put her into sexual harassment, thus created a hostile work environment, and they failed to take appropriate action to remedy the discrimination. The employee is no longer employed by the county.

In its complaint, the government now seeks, among other things, compensation to the employee for the county's discriminatory conduct as well as the implementation of county policies to address and prevent sexual harassment.

Mena Restaurant Settles sexual-harassment lawsuit

EEOC announced this week that a Mena-based Sonic Drive-In restaurant and its holding company agreed to pay $75,000 to settle a sexual-harassment lawsuit filed last year .

This lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas in Fort Smith on May 2006. In this case, two women were subjected to sexual harassment by a night manager in the period of their employment at the Sonic. One of the women was a teenager at the time.

Sexual harassment violates Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Investment Holdings Inc. will pay totally $75,000 to the two female employees.

In addition, Mena SDI, doing business as Sonic Drive-In, will conduct training for all of its employees in order to prevent sexual harassment and retaliation, it also will post a notice reinforcing the company's policies on Title 7. All new employees will accept a similar training when hired, and the company will provide a copy of its sexual harassment policy to all employees.

R＆G FOODS WAS FINED FOR CHILD LABOR VIOLATION

On Tuesday,The U.S. Department of Labor announced that it has fined R&G Foods, the owner of Rex's Foodland grocery, $24,750 for allowing 20 children, some even as young as 15, to load and operate a paper baling machine which the department thought to be dangerous equipment. it is only can be operated by adults.

A manager was called by telephone at the grocery said Tuesday she was unaware of the fines, refused to give her name and hung up.

An investigation also found two workers under 16 worked longer hours than allowed.

teenagers may not work more than three hours on school days and eight hours on non-school days.

The grocery in Chapel Hill, about 40 miles south of Nashville, advocates on its Web site it aims to provide job opportunities for adults and "teens still in school that are interested in learning the business."

Fines for worker misclassification

A new law means fines for construction companies that inappropriately classify workers as independent contractors instead of regular employees, a practice condemned by labor unions because they say it deprives workers of benefits such as worker's compensation and unemployment.

"Misclassification of employees as independent contractors is one of the chief devices that greedy employers use to cheat workers out of their benefits," one official said.

Other states have addressed worker misclassification and Illinois is one of at least five states to pass a law.

Violations can cost a company up to $2,500.

Companies Pay More Than $1 Million in Back Wages

Stonington Behavioral Health Inc. and its parent companies have been ordered to pay more than $1 million in back wages to 143 employees and a $49,156 in civil penalties to resolve violations of FLSA overtime requirements.

Stonington Behavioral Health Inc. in North Stonington, doing business as Stonington Institute, and Pennsylvania-based parent companies Universal Health Services Inc. and UHS of Delaware Inc. were accused of paying employees less than the federal minimum and overtime wages.

Under the investigation, full-time employees who worked with substance-abuse patients routinely worked unpaid, unrecorded hours.

The companies will pay a total of $1,075,218 in back wages for the period between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2006. The back wage payments must be made no later than Sept. 5, 2007. The companies also have paid $49,156 in civil monetary penalties.

Latest Minimum Wage News

Nebraska has increased their Minimum Wage from $5.15 per to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. The minimum wage will increase to $6.55 a year later, and to $7.25 effective July 24, 2009.

Nevada has increased the current minimum wage of $5.15 per hour to $5.30 per hour for employers that offer health benefits, and $6.33 per hour for employer does not provide health benefits, effective July 1, 2007.

Oklahoma has increase the current minimum wage of $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. A year later the hourly wage will increase to $6.55 and following this, another increase of $7.25 effective July 24, 2009.

Minimum Wage News, July 2007

Illinois has increased its minimum wage from $6.50 per hour to $7.50 per hour effective July 1, 2007. The increase will make Illinois' minimum wage the fourth highest in the country.

Pennsylvania has updated the training minimum wage for employers under 20 years old from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. Another increase to $6.55 per hour will take effect from July 24, 2008.

North Dakota has increased the current minimum wage of $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. The minimum wage will increase to $6.55 a year later, and to $7.25 effective July 24, 2009.

New Hampshire has increased it minimum wage of $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007. The minimum wage will increase to $6.50 per hour effective September 1, 2007, 6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008, and $7.25 per hour effective September 1, 2008.

Westra Construction Pays $87,145.95 In Back Wages

Westra Construction, Inc. has agreed to pay $87,145.95 in back wages to forty-eight former employees.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced this settlement.

The company was accused of closing the business without providing notice which is required by the law. According to Wisconsin law, wages earned must be paid and notice must be given when a plant closes.

Watertown plant was found violated the state's wages payable law and business closing notification law when it ceased operating in April 2005.

Meat Company Pays $1.3 Million In Back Wages

Hatfield Quality Meats, a meat supplier based in Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $1.3 million in back wages to over 1,500 current and former employees.

The company was cited by US Labor Department for failing to pay workers for the time they spent putting on and taking off company-mandated protective clothes.

According to U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2005, workers should be compensated for time spent putting on protective gear to perform their jobs.

The settlement covers employees between March 2000 and May 2006, and more than 1500 employees will get their back wages based on their employment length.

Federal Minimum Wage To Increase

Congress approved an increase in federal minimum wage for nearly a decade on May 24.

It would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour from $5.15 in three stages over two years. The bill includes $4.84 billion in tax breaks for small businesses.

The proposal to raise the federal minimum wage was attached to the $120 billion Iraq war-spending bill, which was vetoed by White House on May 1. The bill was rewritten, and passed both in the House and Senate. In a White House news conference Thursday, President Bush said he would sign the bill.

Workers earned federal minimum wage will get the first raise to $5.85 an hour, 60 days after the measure is signed by Bush. A year later, the minimum wage would rise to $6.55 an hour, and to $7.25 a year after that.

D&J Enterprises Agreed To Pay 847,216 in Back Wages

D&J Enterprises has reached an agreement with Department of Labor that it would pay 239 employees $847,216 in back wages for work performed during the Hurricane Katrina cleanup in southern Mississippi.

The company was cited by US Labor Department for failing to pay the prevailing wage rate and fringe benefits and the required overtime under a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleanup contract.

According to a statement released by DOL, D&J Enterprises was found failed to pay workers as required by federal law for work performed between September 2005 and September 2006.

The company has cooperated with the Wage and Hour Division to make sure all workers get their back wages.

D&J is one of Auburn's top paving contractors with over 250 employees.

Government Pays $40.5 Million to Nuclear Workers for Compensation

The US government has agreed to pay Pennsylvania workers $40.5 million in compensation.

Over 2,000 Pennsylvania workers claimed they were sick because of the work they did in nuclear weapons facilities, and 374 have been paid.

$900,000 was paid to 11 claims in Aliquippa and $575,000 was paid to 4 claims in Shippingport.

Other workers are still waiting for their compensation.

Cisco Accused of Racial Bias

Cisco, the world's largest networking equipment maker, has been accused of racial discrimination against minority job applicants.

Four African-American and one Asian American complained to EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) that they were denied sales positions because of their race, and less-qualified white applicants get the jobs.

EEOC has determined Cisco "demonstrated an ongoing pattern and practice of not hiring qualified minority candidates based on their race, color and national origin," according to EEOC letters released to the Mercury News.

The company denied the allegations. Cisco said it is "committed to maintaining and growing a diverse talent pipeline that we believe is required to compete successfully in the technology industry."

Construction Company Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

T.R. Orr Inc., a construction company in Arizona, has agreed to pay $60,000 to a male worker to settle a same-sex sexual harassment lawsuit.

A male construction worker filed the lawsuit, claiming he was subject to repeated physical sexual harassment by a co-worker at an Orr construction site.

After the investigation, EEOC found the company was aware of this issue but failed to take appropriate action.

Victim of same-sex sexual harassment will receive $60,000 for compensation.

Morgan Stanley Settles Sex Harassment Lawsuit

Morgan Stanley, the world's second-biggest securities firm has agreed to set up a $46 million claims pool to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit.

Six women, who were former Morgan Stanley financial advisers filed the lawsuit, claiming Morgan Stanley discriminated against them and more than 3,000 current and former advisers since August 2003. They were paid less than men and had fewer promotion opportunities.

Morgan Stanley agreed to increase earnings for female advisers by at least $16 million over five years. The firm also agreed to change training and management-development programs in wealth- management division.

This settlement marks the ninth largest in a US gender bias class-action case.

N.H. Senate Approves Minimum Wage Hike

N.H. Senate voted Thursday to raise New Hampshire's minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour in the next two years.

The bill passed 19-5 in the senate and has sent to Gov. John Lynch for his signature.

The bill would increase the current minimum wage $5.15 per hour to $6.50 this September and to $7.25 next year.

The current minimum wage in New Hampshire is as the same as the federal rate. The increase will be the first time of last 10 years.

Chinese Restaurant Agrees to Pay $41,661 in back wages

China Star Buffet management, a Chinese restaurant based in Bonita Springs has agreed to pay $41,661 in back wages to 24 employees.

The restaurant was accused uncovered violations of minimum wage, overtime and record keeping provisions. Three other Chinese restaurants in Miami and Royal Palm Beach were also under investigation.

Connie Klipsch, a regional administrator for the federal agency said, "This administration is vigorously enforcing the federal minimum wage and overtime laws to ensure that workers are paid the wages they have earned."

FedEx Settles Sex Harassment Lawsuit

FedEx Corp., the world's largest air-cargo carrier, has agreed to pay $3 million to a former worker to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit.

Charlotte Boswell, who worked in the company's Oakland dispatch center for a nearly 12-year filed the case, claiming she was subject to inappropriately kissing and hugging by a FedEx supervisor.

Boswell was awarded $550,000 for lost wages as well as pain and suffering and $2.45 million in punitive damages.

Fedex plans to appeal the Boswell verdict.

Lawmakers send minimum wage bill to governor

General Assembly sent a bill that ties Indiana's minimum wage to the federal minimum wage increase to Governor Mitch Daniels.

The Indiana House voted 75-22 Tuesday to approve Senate amendments to the bill.

The bill would likely to increase Indiana's state minimum wage from the current $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over the next two years.

The U.S. House already has voted to boost the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour.

The minimum wage in Indiana has not increased for a decade.

Gas Station Chain Agreed to Pay $1 Million in Back Wages

Chestnut Petroleum Dist., Inc. has agreed to pay $900,000 in back wages to 767 employees and a $100,000 penalty to the federal government to resolve violations of FLSA overtime requirements.

The company is accused of paying employees less than the federal minimum wage and failing to pay the workers proper overtime rates.

The labor department also found that the employers failed to keep required records showing hours worked each day; total hours worked weekly and pay rates for many workers.

The 100-thousand dollar civil penalty "will be used as further incentive to properly compensate workers from now on," U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said.

Georgia Pacific Sued Over Sexual Harassment

EEOC filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Georgia Pacific.

A former female employee complained that the company fostered a hostile work environment against her, and she was sexually harassed and threatened from 2001 to 2005.

From the comment Georgia Pacific released, the company denied the allegations.

EEOC Filed Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against Fleming's

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar over sexual harassment.

On behalf of John Pilkington and other male employees, EEOC filed the suit, claiming they were "suffered demeaning touching of intimate body parts as well as unwelcome sexual comments."

The restaurant fired John Pilkington after he made the complaints.

Southwest Airlines Settles Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Southwest Airlines has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, which was filed by female workers at Oakland International Airport in California.

On behalf of the plaintiff, EEOC said the male employee made sexually suggestive comments to coworker Adriana Martin and other female employees beginning in November 2002. The man was termed as "serial harasser".

Southwest denied the allegations but agreed to pay $100,000 to settle the suit.

In addition, Southwest agreed to revise its harassment policy, provide employees a copy of the policy and require supervisors and managers at the airline's provisioning department in Oakland to undergo at least two hours of anti-harassment and retaliation training.

Eight Female Workers Sue California Youth Facility For Sexual Harassment

Eight women filed a lawsuit yesterday, claiming they were subjected to rampant sexual harassment by male inmates, and officials failed to take action when they complained.

Working as counselors or officers at the Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility in Chino, the women said they worked in a sexually hostile environment at the facility, which houses about 800 men between the ages of 18 and 25 who were convicted as juveniles.

According to the lawsuit, the men repeatedly exposed their genitals, engaged in masturbation, threw urine on some plaintiffs and grab their buttocks or breasts.

The women seek unspecified damages from the prison and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Richardson Signs Minimum Wage Bill

New Mexico Governor Richardson signed a bill to increase the minimum wage to $7.50 per hour in the next three years.

The new law will increases the current $5.15 an hour to $6.50 in January 2008 and $7.50 in January 2009.

The increase will not affect higher minimum wage areas, such as Santa Fe and the Albuquerque area.

The increase does not apply to all workers. The bill has exceptions for the agricultural and dairy industries.

Fletcher Signs Minimum Wage Bill

Governor Ernie Fletcher signed bill to raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour in the next two years.

The hike will take 3 steps, first increase to $5.85 per hour from July 1, 2007 and then up to $6.55 per hour beginning July 1, 2008 and $7.25 per hour beginning July 1, 2009.

This increase will benefit more than 100,000 workers in Kentucky.

Rounds Signs Minimum Wage Bill

Governor Mike Rounds signed a bill that will increase South Dakota minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour. The law will take effect as soon as President Bush signs a corresponding federal bill.

The increase will take three steps. The bill will increase minimum wage to $5.85 when federal minimum wage is raised or July 1 arrives, whichever is later.

The minimum wage will rise to $6.55 a year later, and the third increase would become effective two years after the first increase.

The minimum wage in South Dakota has not increased for ten years.

Minimum Wage Bill Heads to Governor

The New Mexico Senate voted 22-20 votes last Friday to increase the state's minimum wage to $7.50 an hour by the year 2009. Now the bill is going to Governor Richardson for his signature.

The governor has showed his support of minimum wage hike.

The bill will increase minimum wage from the current $5.15 an hour to $6.50 an hour on Jan. 1, 2008 and to $7.50 on Jan. 1, 2009.

The increase will not affect higher minimum wage areas, such as Santa Fe and the Albuquerque area.

City Settles Discrimination Lawsuit

The city of Modesto has agreed to pay $3.25million to settle a gender discrimination brought by three women worked for the government.

City and budget officer Debra Eggerman, solid waste division manager Jocelyn Reed, and waste specialist Karin Rodriguez filed the suit in 2005, claiming they were denied promotion after they raised concerns about gender discrimination at City Hall.

These three women said they also planed to start a nonprofit foundation for other women who encounter gender bias at work.

Modesto will pay the women $1 million within 30 days, and the rest is due within 60 days.

Minimum Wage Hike Died in Senate

Legislation to increase minimum wage in Oklahoma was died in the Oklahoma State Senate this Thursday. The proposal was to raise state minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 over a three years period.

The vote in the State Senate was 24 to 23 against the amendment. 23 Republicans and one Democrat voted against the raise while 23 Democrats voted for it.

It takes 25 votes to pass a bill in the 48 member state Senate, and this proposal died 2 votes short.

Spitzer Signs NY Workers' Compensation Reform into Law

NY - Gov. Eliot Spitzer signed a bill Tuesday that would increase benefits for injured workers while reduce the cost of workers' compensation insurance for businesses.

The current maximum workers' benefits in NY is $400 a week, hasn't increased for a decade. The bill will increase the maximum weekly benefit from $400 to $500 in the first year, $550 in the second year and $600 in the third year. The minimum weekly benefit will increase from $40 to $100.

The reforms will also reduce workers' compensation costs to employers by 10 to 15 percent.

It's a double win for both business and workers, the governor confirmed.

Walgreen Accused of Racial Discrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a class-action lawsuit against Walgreen Co., the nation's largest drugstore chain, alleging widespread racial bias against thousands of African-American workers.

According to a release by the EEOC, the company assigns managers, management trainees, and pharmacists to low-performing stores and to stores in African American communities, and denies their promotion because of their race.

Walgreens' spokesperson, Michael Polzin said in a statement that Walgreens is "the nation's best represented retailer in urban areas, and managers of all backgrounds are promoted to senior levels from those locations." He also added that the company was "saddened and disappointed" by the lawsuit.

A group of current and former African-American managers filed a similar private lawsuit against Walgreen in June 2005. That lawsuit is still pending.

Restaurant Settles Discrimination Lawsuit

Minado has agreed to pay $130,000 to settle a federal lawsuit.

Zuo Zhou Lin, a former employee of the restaurant filed a complaint with EEOC, claiming Chinese employees were forced to speak English only, even on their breaks, while Korean and Hispanic employees were allowed to speak in their native tongues. They were threatened they would be fired if complained by managers.

The discrimination is apparently Chinese only. The company denied any bias but agreed to settle the case to spare "the expense of litigation and permit all of our employees to focus on continuing to provide the finest level of experience to our thousands of loyal customers on Long Island.” according to the restaurant's founder's words.

Minado also paid $4,000 to run legal notice on the media to reach other former employees.

Governor Signs Minimum Wage Bill

Gov. John Hoeven signed a bill this Monday that will raise North Dakota minimum wage rates from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour over the next few years.

The bill will increase minimum wage to $5.85 an hour as soon as President Bush signs a corresponding federal bill, and will raise to $7.25 within the next two years.

Hoeven said in the ceremony that the best way to boost wages for all North Dakotans is still lied on create jobs and expand the economy.

Iowa Has A New Minimum Wage Law

Effective April 1, 2007, the state of Iowa will increase its minimum wage rate from the current $5.15 per hour to $6.20 per hour. The minimum training wage will increase to $5.30 per hour, effective April 1, 2007. This is the first step of the minimum wage increase.

Tipped workers will be paid 60% of the new minimum wage, which is $3.72 per hour beginning April 1, 2007.

The current minimum wage in Iowa is $5.15, same as federal rate, hasn't been increase for ten years. This increase will make Iowa be the 29th state with a minimum wage higher than the federal rate.

About 128,000 Iowa workers who earn less than $5.15 will see a direct wage raise.

Family Dollar Settled Discrimination Lawsuit

Charlotte-based Family Dollar Stores has agreed to pay $69,000 to settle a discrimation lawsuit.

Timothy Brown, a paraplegic used to worked as a part-time employee in the company, filed the lawsuit, claiming he was not promoted to assistant manager because of his disability and then forced to resign. He also alleged Family Dollar refused to provide him restroom facilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations and equal opportunities to disabled individuals.

Kansas House Rejects Minimum Wage Hike

The Kansas House has rejected an increase in the state's minimum wage.

The state's minimum wage is $2.65 per hour, which is the lowest in the nation. Supporters attempted to increase the minimum wage to $5.15 per hour, the same as the federal rate.

The state minimum wage affects about 19,000 workers, most of them are agricultural workers.

Kansas is the only state with a minimum wage lower than federal rate. It hasn't increased since 1988.

Kentucky House Passes Minimum Wage Increase

The Kentucky House of Representatives approved a bill to raise the state's minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour over the next two years.

The bill was passed 89-10 and then sent to the Senate consideration.

Under the bill, the state minimum wage will rise to $5.85 per hour this year, followed by an increase to $6.55 per hour beginning July 1, 2008 and $7.25 per hour in 2009.

Kentucky's minimum wage hasn't increased for 10 years.

Wal-Mart Settles Racial Harassment Lawsuit

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer chain, has agreed to pay $125,000 to settle a racial harassment and retaliation lawsuit.

On behalf of Travis Woods, a night maintenance supervisor at a Lewiston, Idaho, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the lawsuit , claiming he endured two years of racial harassment in the form of epithets and graffiti and was then fired after he complained to managers.

Wal-mart also agreed to train managers, supervisors and employees about prohibited racial harassment. It will also reports its handling of discrimination and harassment complaints for two years.

Senate Passes Federal Minimum Wage Hike

For the first time of last 10 years, the U.S. Senate on passeda bill to increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25an hour over the next two years, accompanied by tax cuts forsmall businesses and limits on corporate pay.

President Bush praised the Senate version of the bill andencouraged the House to accept it. He said in a statement, "TheSenate has taken a step toward helping maintain a strong anddynamic labor market and promoting continued economic growth."

29 states have a minimum wage above the current federal level,and seven of them are above $7.25 an hour.

The increase would affect about 13 million workers, addingnearly $4,400 to a minimum-wage worker’s annual income.

Minimum wage hike also requires employers update their labor law poster accordingly.